Virginia Beach Police Sergeant Guilty of DUI

James Riddick, arrested on February 7^th, pleaded ‘no contest' to DUI charges in Virginia Beach court today.  Riddick, a 16-year-veteran of the Virginia Beach Police Department, was sentenced to 6 months in jail will all 6 months suspended, a $1,000 fine, 100 hours of community service, 12-month loss of license and VASAP.  Riddick remains on administrative duty with the police department pending an internal investigation. 

Stallworth Reinstated by NFL a Year After DUI Manslaughter

Donte Stallworth, former wide received for the New England Patriots, has been reinstated by the NFL.  This ends a one-year suspension, triggered by a DUI manslaughter case last summer that killed a pedestrian in Miami Beach, FL.  Stallworth served a 30-day jail sentence for the incident.  Stallwoth reportedly is willing to play for any of the NFL's 32 teams and his agent expects he will sign "in the next couple of weeks at the latest." 

Officer Womble, VA Beach Police Department Reports to Jail

Officer Brian K. Womble of the Virginia Beach Police Department (DUI Task Force) has waived the appeal for his DUI conviction and has reported to jail to serve his mandatory 5-day jail sentence.  Womble active desk duty status with the Virginia Beach Police Department has not changed.

Former Alexandria Police Chief Speaks Publically about his DUI Arrest

David Baker, former Alexandria City Police Chief convicted for DUI, is speaking publicly about his mistake.  Baker resigned as Police Chief following his arrest and served jail time in Arlington after pleading guilty with a .19 BAC. 

Baker said: "There isn't a day that goes by where I don't have a period of sadness.  The consequences are devastating."

Michigan Strip Club Admits Responsibility in Fatal DUI Crash

Pantheon Club patron, Ronnie S. Jackson plead no contest to a second-degree murder charge stemming from a March 2006 auto accident in which killed Kenneth Brzenzinski.  Jackson had been at the Pantheon Club where he was reportedly served eight beers and "a tray of test tube-sized liquor shots" prior to falling asleep at a table and then vomiting.  Jackson was forced to leave and when the cab originally called for him was taken by someone else, club employees put Jackson into his own car to drive home.  Jackson's vehicle slammed into the back of Kenneth Brzenzinski's Ford Escape and killed him. 

The Pantheon Club is admitting liability in the incident.  The civil suit flied by the family of Kenneth Brzenzinski seeks $10 million.  A jury will determine the finally amount and it will be split between Jackson and the club.

Minnesota Man Guilty of DWI in a La-Z-Boy

A Minnesota man pleaded guilty to a DWI for driving his motorized La-Z-Boy chair home from a bar.  Dennis LeRoy Anderson, 62-years-old, registered a blood alcohol content of .29 after crashing his chair into a parked vehicle in August 2008.  As a result of his guilty plea, Anderson was sentenced to 180 days of suspended jail time and 2 years of probation.

DUI Convictions may spoil Olympic Plans

Olympic fans with a prior DUI conviction could run into trouble trying to attend the 2010 Olympic in Canada.  Canada treats prior criminal offenses seriously and makes no exceptions for DUI cases.  Fans are being told to start the planning process early to be sure all requirements are met before the games begin.

Pennsylvania Judges Convicts a State Official of DUI after a Hung Jury

Pennsylvania's Deputy Labor Secretary Allen Cwalina testified at his DUI trial that he drank only after the accident which lead to his arrest occurred.  The jury was deadlocked in the case.  While the District Attorney in Cumberland County has not yet decided if he will retry Cwalina on the most serious charge, the Judge has convicted him on a lesser charge: general impairment, causing a crash involving property damage and causing a crash while DUI.  Cwalina now faces at least 30 days in jail.

Teenage Students Witness DUI Trial

Approximately 40 California teenage students witnessed an actual DUI trial on Monday.  The Sheriff's Department organized the program (with assistance from other county officials and volunteers) to educate teens on the consequences of making bad decisions behind the wheel of a vehicle.  The defendant in the case plead "no contest" to the DUI charge was sentenced to 3-years of probation, 12-months of no alcohol with mandatory enrollment in alcohol treatment and counseling classes, and $1,900 in fines.  In addition, the defendant has 6-months of jail waiting over his head should he violate the terms of his sentence. 

Following the trial, students were encouraged to ask questions of the participants and officials are hopeful that the experience will provide a positive influence with regards to making better choices as teenagers.

SCRAM Anklet Offers Alternative for DUI Offenders

As we all know, the state of the economy has forced cutbacks in all industries.  Businesses and governments across the nation are implementing new procedure to achieve the same means within a smaller budget.  Law enforcement is not outside this umbrella and, interestingly, neither are those convicted of certain crimes.  Some states and counties are choosing to release prisons early and or use electronic monitoring.

Loudoun county is one of the first counties in Virginia to use the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) anklet to monitor DUI offenders.  Bari Lynne Williams, convicted of DUI in Loudoun county, is currently being monitored with the SCRAM anklet as a result of violating her probation.  Williams is required to pay for the service herself, which saves the county money over putting her in jail, and she is monitored for alcohol use continuously, which saves her and the courts the hassles involved with supervision and violations.  Certainly seems to be a better option than jail.

Surfer, Milton Willis, Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for DUI Death

Milton Willis, a 53-year old, well-known surfer of Solana Beach, CA was sentenced to a 4-year prison sentence following his conviction of charges that left 24-year old Bradley Dillahunty dead.  The two men became friends while Dillahunty was a student at Willis's surf school.  In June 2008, Willis was driving Dillahunty's vehicle while Dillahunty rode as a passenger.  Willis crashed the vehicle which had been traveling at more than 65 mph in a 25 mph zone.  Willis was under the influence of alcohol and was convicted of DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter. 

Fifth DUI Charge, Five Years in Prison

Sandra Dee Steiner was sentenced to serve 5 years in prison following conviction of her fifth DUI, felony criminal endangerment, habitual traffic offender and driving without insurance.  The arrest that lead to these convictions was made after police received 911 calls reporting a drunk driver.  When police arrived, Steiner pulled her car over nearly striking pedestrians, running into a trash can, and eventually backing into the patrol car. 

Marcus Vick Sentenced to Jail Time for Probation Violation

Brother of NFL quarterback Michael Vick, Marcus Vick was convicted of DUI and eluding in October 2008 in Norfolk, Virginia.  At the time of his conviction, Vick was sentenced to 12-months in jail with all 12-months suspended.  Vick was required to complete ASAP, pay a fine and stay away from drugs and alcohol.  Positive tests for marijuana, missed appointments with ASAP counselors and failure to pay fines in a timely fashion resulted in Vick's additional arrest and subsequently conviction for probation violation.  Vick is now set to serve 20 days in jail.

The Kind of Virginia DUI Lawyer You Should Fear

New Criminal and Traffic Law for Virginia Effective July 1, 2010

The new legislation passed in the 2010 Session of Virginia General Assembly went into effect July 1, 2010.  Below are some of the highlights as related to traffic and criminal legislation (for a complete list visit http://www.vsp.state.va.us/downloads/Selected_Acts_2010.pdf):

A person who operates a school bus transporting children while possessing/consuming an alcoholic beverage will not be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

Law enforcement may question DUI/DWI suspects about the location of their last drink consumed for communication of that information to the ABC Board.

Juveniles may be found delinquent of possession of alcohol whereas before a case for such could only be deferred and dismissed upon completion of terms.

Restricted driving privileges for children found delinquent for offenses involving alcohol, firearms and truancy are eliminated when school provided transportation is available.

Certificates of analysis (ie BAC certificates) are admissible at preliminary hearings without testimony of person who prepared report and a fee of $50 will be assessed to any defendant who requires testimony of such person and is found guilty.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from a place of religious worship 1 day per week.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from appointments required by Division of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Social Services and for court-ordered programs for child support.

Driving suspensions for DUI/DWI will run consecutively with any other court-ordered suspension for DUI/DWI.

DUI/DWI suspects may be arrested whether or not offense occurred in the officer's presence.

A vehicle driven by a person without a license who has previously been convicted of driving without a license, may be impounded for 3 days.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted for drivers without a valid out-of-state license upon the same conditions as if that person held a valid Virginia license.

The maximum highway speed limit increases from 65 mph to 70 mph.

Appeal Grants Marcus Vick More Jail Time